For the second time in just over six months, Animal Control Officer Melissa Prettyman has gone above and beyond the call of duty. This time, she saved a family from the fire burning in their garage.
For the second time in just over six months, Animal Control Officer Melissa Prettyman has gone above and beyond the call of duty. This time, she saved a family from the fire burning in their garage.
Prettyman was heading out to a call late in Southcrest last night when she saw flames nearby. She drove to the residence and realized no emergency vehicles were at the scene.
Prettyman quickly called 911. But she didn’t wait around. She woke up the family inside the home and got them out, even carrying one of the children to safety. The family had no idea there was fire.
The Animal Control Officer then asked whether any animals might be in danger. A 12-year-old pit bull was still in the house. Undaunted, she ran back inside the house and carried the dog out to safety.
Emergency personnel arrived on the scene and once Prettyman realized they had the scene in hand, she continued on her way to her original call.
The fire broke out in the garage and caused up to $50,000 in damages. The cause is still under investigation.
“She is a real hero,” said Animal Services Director Dawn Danielson. “She’s the same officer who jumped into the ocean to save a dog a few months ago!”
Back in June, Prettyman was called to capture a nine-month-old poodle that had been found scrambling along the rocks at the jetty near Hospitality Point. The black and gray puppy wouldn’t let Prettyman near and the puppy led Prettyman up and down the jetty in a merry chase before the dog finally leapt into the water. Prettyman didn’t let that stop her. She dove in after the puppy as the waves were about to carry her off and Prettyman brought the little puppy safely back to shore.
Officer Melissa Prettyman rescues a dog near Hospitality Point in June 2012.
